Have you had a verruca pedis (plantar wart) on your foot for the longest time and tried freezing the wart, over the counter acid paints and still not been able to get rid of it?
At Foot Body Sole, we are extremely excited to announce that we are now offering SWIFT Microwave therapy to help get rid of your painful plantar warts.
What is SWIFT Microwave therapy?
SWIFT Microwave therapy is a new non-invasive technology designed in the UK which uses microwave energy delivered through a special probe which your podiatrist will apply to the area of skin infected with the affected wart tissue.
How does it work?
SWIFT works by introducing microwave energy into the skin, causing a heat shock to the affected wart tissue which heats cells between 36 and 43 degree Celsius. This heat causes the wart to release proteins into the circulatory system which initiates an immune cascade that allows the body to detect and attack the HPV virus, ridding the patient of this painful condition.
Is it safe?
Yes, the microwave waves are non-ionising radiation, which means that they cannot cause damage to the DNA of living things. It uses very low energy levels that are only able to vibrate water molecules in skin cells.However, we are extra careful with patients with certain medical conditions and may not recommend this treatment for patients who have severe diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, pregnancy and more.
Advantages of SWIFT over liquid nitrogen/acid etc:
1) No need for dressings, taping and/or keeping the foot dry over a period of approximately 5 weeks
2) Able to undertake normal daily activities without much interruption or aftercare
3) On average, fewer treatments than required with liquid nitrogen
4) Pain relief post treatment
How many treatments will I need?
Every person is different and it depends on how you respond to the treatment. Treatment protocol generally includes an average of 3-4 visits with each treatment lasting only 5-10 minutes. During each treatment, you will receive multiple 2 second doses of microwave energy; total dosage will vary based on the size and age of the lesion. Visits are spaced 4 weeks apart to coincide with the body’s immune cycle, with follow up scheduled for 12 weeks following the final treatment. Complete resolution is aligned with the strength of your body’s immune response.
How long will it take to resolve?
Patience is key. Time taken for your wart to resolve can range from 6 weeks to 9 months after treatment, but on average it takes 80 days to resolve. There is no way of determining how quickly your immune system will respond to treatment.
What do I need to do after treatment?
Generally, no care is required after and you can carry on with your day as per normal.
For further information regarding this treatment, please do not hesitate to contact us at the clinic to have a chat with one of our podiatrists or pick up a SWIFT brochure.
We look forward to working with you to get rid of your painful wart!